Urban Competitiveness Evaluation Indicies

The US-based technology market research organization Strategy Analytics discovered that the United States and Singapore have an internet user rate of 88% and 60%, respectively. In Korea, this number is as high as 95%. Strategy Analytics explains that Seoul, a city of more than 20 million inhabitants (including its satellite cities), is a giant internet hotspot that offers cheap wireless internet connection virtually anywhere in the city, and praises Korea for its high connection rate.

Liveability EIU

Announced twice a year (February and August) by EIU (Economist Intelligence Unit) affiliated with the British weekly Economist, livability concerns 30 indices in 5 sectors (Social Safety, Medical Service, Culture/Environment, Education, and Infrastructure) of 140 cities.

Quality of Living by Mercer

Announced annually (March) by multinational consulting business Mercer, Quality of Life is based on the comparison and analysis of 39 items in 10 sectors (Political/Social Environment, Economic Environment, Sociocultural Environment, Medical Service/Health/Hygiene, Educational Environment, Public Service/Transportation, Provision of Respite, Consumables, Residential Environment, and Natural Environment) concerning 221 cities.

Cities of Opportunity PwC & New York partnership

Announced annually by PwC and Partnership for New York City, Cities of Opportunity are based on 60 indices in 10 sectors (Intellectual Capital/Innovation, Technological Readiness, Transportation and Infrastructure, Demographics and Livability, Economic Clout, Economic and Social Cost, Culture and Leisure Assets, Health/ Safety/Security, Business-friendly Environment, and Sustainability and natural environment) concerning 27 major international financial/business cities.

GCI AT Kearney & foreign policy

Announced annually by PwC and Partnership for New York City, Cities of Opportunity are based on 60 indices in 10 sectors (Intellectual Capital/Innovation, Technological Readiness, Transportation and Infrastructure, Demographics and Livability, Economic Clout, Economic and Social Cost, Culture and Leisure Assets, Health/ Safety/Security, Business-friendly Environment, and Sustainability and natural environment) concerning 27 major international financial/business cities.

Seoul’s business capacity as seen by non-Koreans

The globally-renowned consulting firm McKinsey conducted a survey of 108 foreign residents who have lived in Seoul for five to ten years on October 2010. It shows that Seoul has consistently improved its living conditions over the past decade.